sunny and cheerful, and his remains were escorted to the tomb by some ten thousand friends, countrymen, and lovers, among whom were many of the most illustrious men of the country. The services were performed by the Rev. Ebenezer Alden, the pastor of the orthodox Congregational Church of the town, and were as simple and unpretending as had been the inner life of the departed. And when the pall of night settled upon the earth, the long rank grass upon the tomb of Daniel Webster mingled its rustling with the sighing of the breeze, and the low, mournful requiem of the ocean. PRIVATE LIFE OF DANIEL WEBSTER. 185 CONCLUDING NOTE. WHILE this work was going through the press, a request was made of the author that he should reserve, for the more legitimate use of Mr. Webster's literary executors, a certain collection of private letters which he was known to have in his possession. The propriety of the request was so apparent, it was, of course, willingly complied with, and it is to be hoped that the official presentation to the public of all Mr. Webster's correspondence and other literary remains will not be long delayed. The let ters herein published have already appeared in the public journals, and were, of course, common property, and, as such, were simply employed to illustrate the unvarnished records of fact and affection. |